Radial spring lock system for collars, sleeves and centralizers

Abstract

A spring lock system for use in attaching a wellbore component to a tubular includes a tubular spring body having a plurality of profiles along an axial length thereof. The tubular spring body is configured to move between an unclamped position and a clamped position. The spring lock system further includes a locking and activation pin disposed between the profiles of the tubular spring body. The locking and activation pin is rotatable relative to the tubular spring body to move the tubular spring body from the unclamped position to the clamped position.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A spring lock system for use in attaching a wellbore component to a tubular, the spring lock system comprising:
 a tubular spring body having a plurality of profiles along an axial length thereof, the tubular spring body being configured to move between an unclamped position and a clamped position; 
 a locking and activation pin disposed between the profiles of the tubular spring body, the locking and activation pin being rotatable relative to the tubular spring body to move the tubular spring body from the unclamped position to the clamped position, wherein the locking and activation pin includes a protrusion attached to a base, the base having sides and ends; and 
 a lock bolt that is configured to engage a threaded hole in the base of the locking and activation pin. 
 
     
     
       2. The spring lock system of  claim 1 , wherein the ends of the base engage the profiles of the tubular spring body when the tubular spring body is the unclamped position and the sides of the base engage the profiles of the tubular spring body when the tubular spring body is in the clamped positon. 
     
     
       3. The spring lock system of  claim 1 , wherein the protrusion of the locking and activation pin includes a slot which is used to rotate the locking and activation pin relative to the tubular spring body. 
     
     
       4. A centralizer comprising:
 a centralizer body having a first hole and a second hole; 
 a spring disposed within the centralizer body, the spring being configured to move between an unclamped position and a clamped position; 
 a locking and activation pin disposed within the first hole of the centralizer, the locking and activation pin being rotatable relative to the spring to move the spring from the unclamped position to the clamped position; and 
 a lock bolt disposed within the second hole of the centralizer body, the lock bolt being configured to engage the locking and activation pin. 
 
     
     
       5. The centralizer of  claim 4 , wherein the locking and activation pin includes a protrusion attached to a base, the base having sides and ends. 
     
     
       6. The centralizer of  claim 5 , wherein the ends of the base engage a plurality of profiles of the spring when the spring is the unclamped position and the sides of the base engage the profiles of the spring when the spring is in the clamped positon. 
     
     
       7. The centralizer of  claim 5 , wherein the protrusion of the locking and activation pin includes a slot which is used to rotate the locking and activation pin relative to the spring. 
     
     
       8. The centralizer of  claim 4 , wherein the spring includes ridges that engage recesses of the centralizer. 
     
     
       9. The centralizer of  claim 4 , wherein the spring includes spring profiles that are configured to engage centralizer profiles in the centralizer body. 
     
     
       10. A method of installing a centralizer on a tubular, the method comprising:
 positioning the centralizer on the tubular, the centralizer having a spring and a locking and activation pin; 
 rotating the locking and activation pin relative to the spring which causes the spring to move from an unclamped position to a clamped position; 
 attaching the centralizer to the tubular when the spring is in the clamped positon; and 
 removing a lock bolt in the centralizer prior to moving the spring from the unclamped position to the clamped position. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the spring includes spring profiles that are configured to engage centralizer profiles in the centralizer.